As California works to protect 30% of its lands, Latinos need a seat at the table – Desert Sun

Frank Ruiz| Guest columnist

As California embarks on a critical journey to protect 30% of the states lands, waters and ocean, as directed by Gov. Gavin Newsoms October 2020 executive order, it is all the more essential for Latino voices, historiesand priorities to be heard in the process.

During the pandemic, nature became a refuge and source of health for millions of Californians, from bird watching to taking daily walks around our neighborhoods. Never in my life have I seen so many Latino families hitting up the hiking trails as I have during the pandemic.

Yetnature were all beginning to enjoy is deteriorating, and it is most often degraded near low-income communities and those of color like the Eastern Coachella Valley, where I live.

People of color are more likely to live in nature-deprived communitiesand the most polluted parts of California,bearing a disproportionate load of environmental and health problems caused by nearby refineries, power plants, warehousesand industrial activities.

One result of this is asthma faced by Latino children, who are disproportionately likely to die from it. Whats more, our parks are often inaccessible, either located close to rail tracks, ortoo noisy to enjoy. Climate change will only exacerbate these conditions and worsen the consequences we are already facing from wildfires, drought and extreme heat.

The initiative to protect 30% of Californias lands, watersand ocean by 2030 known as 30x30 is a tremendous opportunity to ameliorate the dual crises of climate change and the ongoing loss of nature,while bringing equity to disadvantaged communities.

Access to nature for all is a way to improve health, economic prospectsand many other aspects of life that are worse off in Latino communities. As a pastor, I believe it is our moral responsibility to take care of the environment and the generations that follow us. As a mental health professional, I know that increased access to the outdoors promotes community health and well-being. As a Latino conservation advocate, I know that protecting nature must be done in a holistic way that brings Latinos and other communities, who have traditionally gone unheard, to the table.

As California proceeds with 30x30, the initiative needs to create more educational and job opportunities for Black and brown communities, as well as better access to the outdoors. And the state needs to intentionally build resilience to the climate impacts that disproportionately affect us, from wildfires to drought.

While I am hopeful for 30x30 and its potential, I fear that new resources and investments in nature and climate action will mostly accumulate benefits to wealthier communities, not those who need it most. California will not be a leading green state unless we implement these policies while ensuring equitable access to recreation and parks, youth career pipelines and access to educational opportunities.

As Californians continue to face economic and public health crises, while increasingly recognizing thedual threats of global temperature rise and biodiversity loss, we must recognize that our human communities are not separate from natural ecosystems. Just as threats to nature threaten us, protecting nature through initiatives like 30x30 will help us protect ourselves.

Similarly, we think of the desert and the ocean as two separate ecosystems, but they are deeply intertwined. Both regions are precious to Latino communities and must be protected under 30x30 to ensure our heritage, livelihoods, access to natureand global climate are preserved.

This past year, we have learned that access to nearby nature is not an amenity, but a necessity for health and quality of life just as access to clean water is. Continued funding and public engagement in 30x30 is needed to make sure nature and water accessare sustainable, intentional and equitable for Latino communities.

Since the start of the pandemic, many of our communities have been living in survival mode, concerned about putting food on the table, staying healthyand paying the rent or mortgage.

But this past year, awareness has risen that nature is a safe place for solitude and a more affordable and healthier way to vacation. When you experience nature, you love it, and when you love it, you want to care for it.

So we are calling for ambitious protections under 30x30 and new parks in the places that Latinos love, with Latinos engaged and at the table to determine our path forward.

Frank Ruiz is the Salton Sea Program director for Audubon California. Earlier, he co-founded Por La Creacin,a faith-basedinitiative by the Hispanic Access Foundation that seeks to educate and empower Latino communities in environmental advocacy, protection of public landsand public policy.

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As California works to protect 30% of its lands, Latinos need a seat at the table - Desert Sun